Earlier today Rafael Nadal officially withdrew his name from the US Open tournament. Nadal’s absence from the Open will be his first and it’s also the first time the “Big Four” will not be together at a Major since 2009 Wimbledon when Nadal also was dealing with a knee injury.

Given the sad news many players offered their thoughts on Nadal’s announcement.

Novak Djokovic: “Well, I really don’t know what the injury is and how serious it is. Obviously it’s that serious that takes him, you know, out from the tour for last couple of months. You know, he’s a great competitor, and, you know. He’s somebody I know really well on and off the court. I’m sure that if he was able to perform in US Open he would come. So I wish him a quick recovery, obviously.”

Juan Martin Del Potro: “He’s a big fighter. He will be with us very, very soon, and could be dangerous for us when he come back because he gonna be much better than the rest of the players. He’s still very, very young, of course. He has many challenge to do it, so he will be ready very soon. I wish all the best for him because he’s a nice guy.”

Mardy Fish: “It’s too bad. You felt like if he wasn’t able to come to at least here — a lot of guys took Toronto off, but at least come here. Maybe he was in trouble. So it’s a shame. You know, he made the final last year and he’s the past champion year before that. He’ll be missed.”

Andy Murray: “It’s obviously a shame. I mean, I like Rafa a lot as a friend. Yeah, I’m disappointed for him. But I think for tennis and also a major competitions, it’s a huge benefit when you have the top players playing. Yeah, it’s obviously tough for him. He’s had trouble with his knees in the past. So, you know, I hope he can rest, doesn’t come back too early, and gets them fixed so he can get back to playing his best tennis.”

Roger Federer: “Well, not a surprise, because I wrote him and he told me like it wasn’t looking good at all. I kind of knew. Saw it coming. But obviously when it’s official it’s disappointing for tennis, there’s no doubt about it. I would love to have him in the draw. In particular, sort of the 12 days before the Open you figure he might still have time to fix what he has to fix to get ready. If he pulls out that early before the Open, it must be something serious. That’s what is sort of scary. There is obviously the whole debate going on if he is going come back for this year. I hope he will. He’s definitely got some more weeks off now because of it. I hope in hindsight this is a very smart decision by him. But it’s obviously a big blow and disappointing news for the tennis world.”

Since the start of 2005 Nadal has missed only three Grand Slam tournaments – 2006 Australian Open, 2009 Wimbledon and the 2012 US Open. Nadal had been to at the last the semifinals the last four years in New York, winning the title in 2010 and reaching the final last year.

It is obvious to everyone how Federer will be placed in draw where he will facing only one of players who can take him down. He will play agains either Murray or Djokovic in finals. It does not matter if Dokovic retake the first place after Cinci or if Murray moves to a third place Federe will still get a easy pass to finals!
This was evident because even when Djokovic was number one he was still forced to play Federer and Nadal to win the title. That is one more reson to respect what he have done in 2011.

Yeah, Tennis is bigger than individuals. But such charismatic personalities like Roger and Nadal have their own attraction. They make the sport even bigger with their presence. Even today, imagine the crazy attention Roger Vs Nadal match will attract compared to other matches. It is really special. The fans too of both these players enjoy such matches to the optimum. You cannot say the same about other rivalries even a Nadal Vs Novak.

Why you count the chickens before they are out ? let us wait for the US open draw before commenting ? It might be even a Roger Vs Murray semi-final ? If Novak wins Cincinnati, he will become No.1 and then the whole thing changes.

You are right. Tennis can go on without any player, but the biggest showdown of tennis would be Roger vs Rafa in USO or Wimbledon.

Rafa is such a great champion, he is not a another just tennis player. He is credit to tennis and typically tennis players have such a short career, we want them to use the time optimally. It’s a pity Rafa needs to go through, but I only wish this rest helps him to add another 2-3 years of tennis.

Fed can only play Djokovic in the finals becoz Djokovic is No. 2. Even if Djokovic wins Cincy, he’ll be No. 1, Fed will be No. 2, and it will be the same, they’ll meet in the finals. The road to the finals for top players in slams, meet one in SF, and another in the finals, unless one of them loses early.

what a shame that some of the people here always bring a fed draw into the very sad news of rafa not playing. For fans like alison and kimberly, as well as brando and others, you must be devastated.

This is shocking news actually. I never thought that he would be out, having read that he had arrived at the usopen early.

I wonder what the exact problem is. So rather than considering the draw, federer haters, if you know and are so concerned about rafas injuries, is there a doctors statement forthcoming? Alison, kimberly do you know?

Also, what is interesting and I hope of some comfort, is the 6 months or so that delpo had off the tour, remember he came back stronger, he may have come back as ranked 200, but he has soon got back to where he belongs, at the top of the game.

“You don’t have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.”
No, Jimmy, but you do have to be a weather man to make forecasts (ones that carry weight, that is).
As for Nadal, talk of his winning several more slams – on any surface – is beginning to sound optimistic, to say the least.
When he’s middle-aged, and a semi invalid, I wonder if he’ll think it was all worthwhile.

Sienna, I must say, you have made this site a really unpleasant place. Since you started showing up and posting your nonsense I come here much less and i have noticed many other posters have left as well. If the moderators don’t stop you soon you will be here alone.

Nadal out, now Federer left with no one in the field to fear. My prediction, He will be crowned as the US Open champion for the record sixth time and the 18th grand slam, will make it further hard to break the record for others. Even though, I do not enjoy the style of Nadal’s play, I like what he brings to tennis, confidence and competitive spirit against the great Roger….which no one has in the field including Murray or Djokovic.

A. A player may petition the Executive Chairman & President for an Entry Protection when he is physically injured and does not compete in any tennis event for a minimum period of six months. The written petition must be received within six months of his last tournament.

The Entry Protection shall be a position in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, as determined by the player’s average South African Airways ATP Rankings position during the first three months of his injury. The Entry Protection shall be for entry into the main draw or qualifying competition or for special exempt consideration. The Entry Protection shall not be used for seeding purposes, Lucky Loser consideration or for entry into the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

The Entry Protection shall be in effect for either the first nine tournaments that the player competes in using the Entry Protection (excluding wild cards and entries as a Direct Acceptance with his current position in the South African Airways ATP Rankings) or for the period up to nine months beginning with the first tennis event that the player competes in, whichever occurs first.

Entry Protection
1) Petition. A player may petition the President, or his designee, for an entry protection
when he is physically injured and does not compete in any tennis event, including
Special Events – Exhibitions, for a minimum period of six (6) months. The
written petition must be received within six (6) months after his last tournament.

2) Calculation and Use. The entry protection shall be a position in the South African
Airways ATP Rankings (singles), as determined by the player’s average South
African Airways ATP Rankings (singles) position during the fi rst three (3) months
of his injury. The entry protection shall be for entry into the main draw or qualifying
competition or for special exempt consideration. The entry protection shall not be
used for seeding purposes or lucky loser consideration.

3) Limit of Use.
a) If a player is physically injured and does not compete in any tennis event
for a period of at least six (6) months but less than twelve (12) months, the
entry protection shall be in effect for either the fi rst nine (9) tournaments that
the player competes in using the entry protection (excluding wild cards and
entries as a direct acceptance with his current position in the ATP Ranking) or
for the period up to nine (9) months beginning with the fi rst tennis event, including Special Events – Exhibitions, that the player competes in, whichever
occurs fi rst.

b) If a player is physically injured and does not compete in any tennis event for
a period of twelve (12) months or longer, the entry protection shall be in effect
for either the fi rst twelve (12) tournaments that the player competes in using
the entry protection (excluding wild cards and entries as a direct acceptance
with his current position in the ATP Ranking) or for the period up to twelve
(12) months beginning with the fi rst tennis event, including Special Events –
Exhibitions, that the player competes in, whichever occurs fi rst.

4) Expiration Date. A player has three (3) years from the time that the injury occurred
to activate his protected ranking. A player who does not compete in any
tennis event, including Special Events – Exhibitions, for a period of three (3) years
from the date of his injury will have his entry protection revoked.

5) Re-injury Protection. A player who has returned to competition using his protected
ranking and re-injures himself may petition for a “freeze” of the nine (9) or
twelve (12) month limit for competing using his protected ranking. To be eligible
for the “freeze” the player must be out of competition for a minimum of three (3)
months. Upon the player’s return to competition he shall have the same number
of events and weeks remaining as were available when the “freeze” went into effect.
A maximum of two (2) “freezes” are allowed during the nine (9) or twelve (12)
month period.

Note: For purposes of this rule, three (3) months is calculated at thirteen (13)
weeks; six (6) months is calculated at twenty-six (26) weeks; nine (9) months is
calculated at thirty-nine (39) weeks; and twelve (12) months is calculated at fi ftytwo
(52) weeks.

Madmax thanks great post,but i have no idea what is bothering Rafa TBH,its dissapointing i just hope its not too serious and hes back playing soon,and i completely agree its not Rogers fault Rafa cant play so theres no point taking it out on him,in fact Roger and many of the players sound quite concerned and troubled by Rafas withdrawal,going by the pressers above.

@ alison. “but I have no idea what is bothering Rafa”. The problem is serious which I can’t explain. You should visit the fan sites to keep abreast of the latest news . Nadalnews, Rafaholics etc. will keep you informed.

@mark, what are those sites saying is the issue? I think he has a tear or partial tear and either had or will have surgery and doesn’t want to admit it. My husband has a partial tear now and he is going the non-surgery rout but it is slow, 6-8 weeks of nothing. And even that is optimistic. If it doesn’t heal he will have the surgery which is no big deal and thats a 6 week recovery.

Well,let’s face it. It will be good to have all top players in the slams but when we have a situation where immaturity is playing a big role in a player’s life, we shouldn’t be that concerned. Nadal is never able to accept big upsets and therefore has to come up with these things. The knee problem only becomes a big issue after a big upset. We don’t hear much about it when we are winning, ok? ‘Nuff’ already.

@ kimberly. There is a new doctor on the team apparently. It is degeneration of the tendon. At least 3 months rest required. There is some talk of surgery being the worst case scenario but not likely now. Taking it step by step.

I think Bodo is relevant also, and was a good article. I guess the word is hopng Rafa to maybe return for DC?

Never liked his camps scheduling. They could have arranged his schedule just for and around Slams but me thinks they were to greedy chasing after a #1 world ranking where in the end its Slams that count the most. :(

You are right, if nadal camp wants to be wise in scheduling, make priority of certain tour, and make some adjustment of his style of playing, he won’t suffer from bad injured.

Being honest I don’t care so much about his rangking, as long as he is fit 100% and plays his best tennis, I am really happy coz I believe he could win whenever he is in tour. Mental problem is not big issue for him. He is a born fighter.